Stearn, James (1855-1918), College Head Porter

Born in Histon, near Cambridge, in 1855, son of William, an agricultural labourer, and Louisa.

In 1877 he was appointed under-porter [MCGB/4/2/1] and rose to Head Porter serving the College for 43 years before his retirement in 1918.

1881 census – he was living at 30 Albert Street. He was married, to Elizabeth Foreman who was five years older. Their first child, four-month old Sydney James, had been born around the turn of the year.

1891 census - they had moved to number 1 Albert Street. A second son, Ernest had been born in 1883, followed by two daughters, Louisa in 1886 and Laura in 1889.

1911 census - three children were alive and two had died, suggesting there had been a fifth baby that did not survive infancy. Ernest, their second son, was eighteen in 1901, and working as a kitchen porter, although the college that employed him is not known. We might expect him to disappear from the family home as he made his life of his own, but the fact that Sydney's death notice in 1917 describes him as "only son" of James and Elizabeth suggests that Ernest had died before 1911. Louisa and Laura both trained as dressmakers.

Sydney Stearn served in the Royal Navy during the First World War and was killed in 1917.

James Stearn found it hard to cope after the death of his son. He retired, early in 1918, at the age of 63. The Fellows presented their outgoing Head Porter with a clock.

He died on 10 July 1918.

For more information see Ged Martin's article James Stearn: The Head Porter who Died of Grief

https://gedmartin.net/martinalia-mainmenu-3/344-magdalene-college-cambridge-notes-james-stearn

Ged Martin